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| TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: |
| |
| Text printed in italics in the original work is presented here |
| between underscores, as in _text_. Similarly, bold face in the |
| original is represented as =text=. |
| |
| Footnotes have been moved to the end of the description of the |
| game. |
| |
| [Illustration] means that there is an illustration present in the |
| text; [Music] means a transcription in musical notation. |
| |
| [Greek: text] represents a transcription of Greek text. [=a] and |
| [=e] represent a-macron and e-macron, respectively. The oe- |
| ligature is transcribed as [oe]. |
| |
| More Transcriber's Notes may be found at the end of this text. |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
A DICTIONARY
OF
BRITISH FOLK-LORE
EDITED BY
G. LAURENCE GOMME, ESQ., F.S.A.
PRESIDENT OF THE FOLK-LORE SOCIETY, ETC.
_PART I._
TRADITIONAL GAMES
_BY THE SAME EDITOR._
Small 4to. In Specially Designed Cover.
=ENGLISH SINGING GAMES.=
A Collection of the best Traditional Children's Singing Games, with
their Traditional Music harmonised, and Directions for Playing. Each
Game, Text and Music, is written out and set within a Decorative
Border by WINIFRED SMITH, who has also designed Full-page
Illustrations to each Game, and Initials and Decorative Border to
the playing directions.
[_All rights reserved._]
THE
TRADITIONAL GAMES
Of England, Scotland, and Ireland
WITH
TUNES, SINGING-RHYMES, AND METHODS OF PLAYING
ACCORDING TO THE VARIANTS EXTANT AND
RECORDED IN DIFFERENT PARTS
OF THE KINGDOM
COLLECTED AND ANNOTATED BY
ALICE BERTHA GOMME
VOL. I.
ACCROSHAY-NUTS IN MAY
LONDON
DAVID NUTT, 270-71 STRAND
1894
TO
_MY HUSBAND_
PREFACE
Soon after the formation of the Folk-lore Society in 1878 my husband
planned, and has ever since been collecting for, the compilation of a
dictionary of British Folk-lore. A great deal of the material has been
put in form for publication, but at this stage the extent of the work
presented an unexpected obstacle to its completion.
To print the whole in one alphabet would be more than could be
accomplished except by the active co-operation of a willing band of
workers, and then the time required for such an undertaking, together
with the cost, almost seemed to debar the hope of ever completing
arrangements for its publication. Nevertheless, unless we have a
scientific arrangement of the enormously scattered material and a close
comparison of the details of each item of folk-lore, it is next to
impossible to expect that the full truth which lies hidden in these
remnants of the past may be revealed.
During my preparation of a book of games for children it occurred to me
that to separate the whole of the games from the general body of
folk-lore and to make them a section of the proposed dictionary would be
an advantageous step, as by arranging the larger groups of folk-lore in
independent sections the possibility of publishing the contemplated
dictionary again seemed to revive. Accordingly, the original plan has
been so far modified that these volumes will form the first section of
the dictionary, which, instead of being issued in one alphabet
throughout, will now be issued in sections, each section being arranged
alphabetically.
The games included in this collection bear the important qualification
of being nearly all Children's Games: that is to say, they were either
originally children's games since developed into games for adults, or
they were the more serious avocations of adults, which have since become
children's games only. In both cases the transition is due to
traditional circumstances, and not to any formal arrangements. All
invented games of skill are therefore excluded from this collection, but
it includes both indoor and outdoor games, and those played by both
girls and boys.
The bulk of the collection has been made by myself, greatly through the
kindness of many correspondents, to whom I cannot be sufficiently
grateful. In every case I have acknowledged my indebtedness, which,
besides being an act of justice, is a guarantee of the genuineness of
the collection. I have appended to this preface a list of the
collectors, together with the counties to which the games belong; but I
must particularly thank the Rev. W. Gregor, Mr. S. O. Addy, and Miss
Fowler, who very generously placed collections at my disposal, which had
been prepared before they knew of my project; also Miss Burne, Miss L.
E. Broadwood, and others, for kindly obtaining variants and tunes I
should not otherwise have received. To the many versions now printed for
the first time I have added either a complete transcript of, where
necessary, or a reference to, where that was sufficient, printed
versions of games to be found in the well-known collections of Halliwell
and Chambers, the publications of the Folk-lore and Dialect Societies,
Jamieson's, Nares', and Halliwell's Dictionaries, and other printed
sources of information. When quoting from a printed authority, I have as
far as possible given the exact words, and have always given the
reference. I had hoped to have covered in my collection the whole field
of games as played by children in the United Kingdom, but it will be
seen that many counties in each country are still unrepresented; and I
shall be greatly indebted for any games from other places, which would
help to make this collection more complete. The tunes of the games have
been taken down, as sung by the children, either by myself or
correspondents (except where otherwise stated), and are unaltered.
The games consist of two main divisions, which may be called
descriptive, and singing or choral. The descriptive games are arranged
so as to give the most perfect type, and, where they occur, variable
types in succession, followed, where possible, by any suggestions I have
to make as to the possible origin of the game. The singing games are
arranged so as to give, first, the tunes; secondly, the different
versions of the game-rhymes; thirdly, the method of playing; fourthly,
an analysis of the game-rhymes on a plan arranged by my husband, and
which is an entirely novel feature in discussing the history of games;
fifthly, a discussion of the results of the analysis of the rhymes so
far as the different versions allow; and sixthly, an attempt to deduce
from the evidence thus collected suggestions as to the probable origin
of the game, together with such references to early authorities and
other facts bearing upon the subject as help to elucidate the views
expressed. Where the method of playing the game is involved, or where
there are several changes in the forms, diagrams or illustrations, which
have been drawn by Mr. J. P. Emslie, are inserted in order to assist the
reader to understand the different actions, and in one or two instances
I have been able to give a facsimile reproduction of representations of
the games from early MSS. in the Bodleian and British Museum Libraries.
Although none of the versions of the games now collected together are in
their original form, but are more or less fragmentary, it cannot, I
think, fail to be noticed how extremely interesting these games are, not
only from the point of view of the means of amusement (and under this
head there can be no question of their interest), but as a means of
obtaining an insight into many of the customs and beliefs of our
ancestors. Children do not invent, but they imitate or mimic very
largely, and in many of these games we have, there is little doubt,
unconscious folk-dramas of events and customs which were at one time
being enacted as a part of the serious concerns of life before the eyes
of children many generations ago. As to the many points of interest
under this and other heads there is no occasion to dwell at length here,
because the second volume will contain an appendix giving a complete
analysis of the incidents mentioned in the games, and an attempt to tell
the story of their origin and development, together with a comparison
with the games of children of foreign countries.
The intense pleasure which the collection of these games has given me
has been considerably enhanced by the many expressions of the same kind
of pleasure from correspondents who have helped me, it not being an
infrequent case for me to be thanked for reviving some of the keenest
pleasures experienced by the collector since childhood; and I cannot
help thinking that, if these traditional games have the power of thus
imparting pleasure after the lapse of many years, they must contain the
power of giving an equal pleasure to those who may now learn them for
the first time.
ALICE BERTHA GOMME.
BARNES COMMON, S.W.,
_Jan. 1894_.
LIST OF AUTHORITIES
ENGLAND.
Halliwell's _Nursery Rhymes_.
Halliwell's _Dictionary_, ed. 1889.
Holloway's _Dictionary_, ed. 1838.
Strutt's _Sports and Pastimes_, ed. 1831.
Brand's _Popular Antiquities_, ed. 1875.
Nares' _Glossary_, ed. 1872.
Grose's _Dictionary_, 1823.
_Notes and Queries._
_Reliquary._
English Dialect Society Publications.
Folk-lore Society Publications, 1878-1892.
BEDFORDSHIRE--
Luton Mrs. Ashdown.
Roxton Miss Lumley.
BERKSHIRE Lowsley's _Glossary_.
Enborne Miss Kimber.
Fernham, Longcot Miss I. Barclay.
Newbury Mrs. S. Batson, Miss Kimber.
Sulhampstead Miss Thoyts (_Antiquary_, vol. xxvii.)
CAMBRIDGESHIRE--
Cambridge Mrs. Haddon.
CHESHIRE { Darlington's, Holland's, Leigh's, and
{ Wilbraham's _Glossaries_.
Congleton Miss A. E. Twemlow.
CORNWALL { _Folk-lore Journal_, v., Courtney's
{ _Glossary_.
Penzance Miss Courtney, Mrs. Mabbott.
CUMBERLAND Dickinson's _Glossary_.
DERBYSHIRE { _Folk-lore Journal_, vol. i., Mrs.
{ Harley, Mr. S. O. Addy.
Dronfield, Eckington, Egan Mr. S. O. Addy.
DEVONSHIRE Halliwell's _Dictionary_.
DORSETSHIRE { Barnes' _Glossary_, _Folk-lore
{ Journal_, vol. vii.
DURHAM { Brockett's _North Country Words_, ed.
{ 1846.
Gainford Miss Eddleston.
South Shields Miss Blair.
ESSEX--
Bocking _Folk-lore Record_, vol. iii. pt. 2.
Colchester Miss G. M. Francis.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE { Holloway's _Dictionary_, _Midland
{ Garner_.
Shepscombe, Cheltenham Miss Mendham.
Forest of Dean Miss Matthews.
HAMPSHIRE Cope's _Glossary_, Miss Mendham.
Bitterne Mrs. Byford.
Liphook Miss Fowler.
HAMPSHIRE--
Hartley, Winchfield, Witney Mr. H. S. May.
Southampton Mrs. W. R. Carse.
ISLE OF MAN Mr. A. W. Moore.
ISLE OF WIGHT--
Cowes Miss E. Smith.
KENT Pegge's _Alphabet of Kenticisms_.
Bexley Heath Miss Morris.
Crockham Hill, Deptford Miss Chase.
Platt Miss Burne.
Wrotham Miss D. Kimball.
{ Nodal and Milner's _Glossary_,
LANCASHIRE { Harland and Wilkinson's _Folk-lore_,
{ ed. 1882, Mrs. Harley.
Monton Miss Dendy.
LEICESTERSHIRE Evan's _Glossary_.
Leicester Miss Ellis.
LINCOLNSHIRE { Peacock's, Cole's, and Brogden's
{ _Glossaries_, Rev. ---- Roberts.
Anderby, Botterford, Brigg, }
Frodingham, Horncastle, } Miss Peacock.
North Kelsey, Stixwould, }
Winterton }
East Kirkby Miss K. Maughan.
Metheringham Mr. C. C. Bell.
MIDDLESEX Miss Collyer.
Hanwell Mrs. G. L. Gomme.
{ Miss Chase, Miss F. D. Richardson,
{ Mr. G. L. Gomme, Mrs. G. L. Gomme,
{ Mr. J. P. Emslie, Miss Dendy, Mr.
London { J. T. Micklethwaite (_Archæological
{ Journal_, vol. xlix.), _Strand
{ Magazine_, vol. ii.
NORFOLK { Forby's _Vocabulary_, Spurden's
{ _Vocabulary_, Mr. J. Doe.
Sporle, Swaffham Miss Matthews.
{ Baker's _Glossary_, _Northants Notes
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE { and Queries_, _Revue Celtique_, vol.
{ iv., Rev. W. D. Sweeting.
Maxey Rev. W. D. Sweeting.
NORTHUMBERLAND { Brockett's _Provincial Words_, ed.
{ 1846.
Hexham Miss J. Barker.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Miss Peacock.
Long Eaton Miss Youngman.
Nottingham Miss Winfield, Miss Peacock.
Ordsall Miss Matthews.
OXFORDSHIRE Aubrey's _Remains_, ed. 1880.
Oxford Miss Fowler.
Summertown _Midland Garner_, vol. ii.
SHROPSHIRE Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_.
Madeley, Middleton Miss Burne.
Tong Miss R. Harley.
{ Elworthy's _Dialect_, _Somerset and
SOMERSETSHIRE { Dorset Notes and Queries_, Holloway's
{ _Dictionary_.
Bath Miss Large.
STAFFORDSHIRE--
Hanbury Miss E. Hollis.
Cheadle Miss Burne.
Tean, North Staffordshire { Miss Keary, Miss Burne, Mrs. T.
Potteries { Lawton.
Wolstanton Miss Keary.
{ Moor's _Suffolk Words_, Forby's
SUFFOLK { _Vocabulary_, Lady C. Gurdon's
{ _Suffolk County Folk-lore_.
SURREY--
Barnes Mrs. G. L. Gomme.
Clapham Miss F. D. Richardson.
Hersham _Folk-lore Record_, vol. v.
Redhill Miss G. Hope.
SUSSEX { Parish's _Dialect_, Holloway's
{ _Dictionary_, Toone's _Dictionary_.
Hurstmonceux Miss Chase.
Shipley, Horsham, West { Miss R. H. Busk (_Notes and
Grinstead { Queries_).
Ninfield Mr. C. Wise.
{ Northall's _Folk Rhymes_, _Notes and
WARWICKSHIRE { Queries_, _Northants Notes and
{ Queries_, Mr. C. C. Bell.
WILTSHIRE--
Marlborough, Manton, Ogbourne Mr. H. S. May.
WORCESTERSHIRE Chamberlain's _Glossary_.
Upton-on-Severn Lawson's _Glossary_.
{ Atkinson's, Addy's, Easther's,
YORKSHIRE { Hunter's, Robinson's, Ross and Stead's
{ _Glossaries_, Henderson's _Folk-lore_,
{ ed. 1879.
Almondbury Easther's _Glossary_.
Epworth, Lossiemouth Mr. C. C. Bell.
Earls Heaton, Haydon, { Mr. H. Hardy.
Holmfirth {
Settle Rev. W. S. Sykes.
Sharleston Miss Fowler, Rev. G. T. Royds.
Sheffield Mr. S. O. Addy, Miss Lucy Garnett.
Wakefield Miss Fowler.
SCOTLAND.
Chambers' _Popular Rhymes_, ed. 1870.
Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_, ed. 1871.
Jamieson's _Etymological Dictionary_, ed. 1872-1889.
Folk-lore Society Publications.
ABERDEEN--
Pitsligo Rev. W. Gregor.
BANFFSHIRE--
Duthil, Keith, Strathspey Rev. W. Gregor.
ELGIN--
Fochabers Rev. W. Gregor.
KIRKCUDBRIGHT--
Auchencairn Prof. A. C. Haddon.
LANARKSHIRE--
Biggar Mr. Wm. Ballantyne.
Lanark Mr. W. G. Black.
NAIRN--
Nairn Rev. W. Gregor.
IRELAND.
Folk-lore Society Publications.
_Notes and Queries._
ANTRIM AND DOWN Patterson's _Glossary_.
CLARE--
Kilkee { G. H. Kinahan (_Folk-lore Journal_,
{ vol. ii.)
CORK--
Cork Mrs. B. B. Green, Miss Keane.
DOWN--
Ballynascaw Miss C. N. Patterson.
Belfast Mr. W. H. Patterson.
Holywood Miss C. N. Patterson.
DUBLIN--
Dublin Mrs. Lincoln.
LOUTH--
Annaverna, Ravendale Miss R. Stephen.
QUEEN'S COUNTY--
Portarlington { G. H. Kinahan (_Folk-lore Journal_,
{ vol. ii.)
WATERFORD--
Lismore Miss Keane.
WALES.
_Byegones._
Folk-lore Society Publications.
CARMARTHENSHIRE--
Beddgelert Mrs. Williams.
LIST OF GAMES
ACCROSHAY.
All-hid.
All a Row.
All in the Well.
All the Birds in the Air.
All the Boys in our Town.
All the Fishes in the Sea.
All the Soldiers in the Town.
Allicomgreenzie.
Alligoshee.
Almonds and Reasons.
Angel and Devil.
Auntieloomie.
BABBITY Bowster.
Bad.
Baddin.
Badger the Bear.
Bag o' Malt.
Ball.
Ball and Bonnets.
Ball in the Decker.
Ball of Primrose.
Baloon.
Bandy-ball.
Bandy-cad.
Bandy-hoshoe.
Bandy-wicket.
Banger.
Bar.
Barbarie, King of the.
Barley-break.
Barnes (Mr.).
Base-ball.
Basket.
Battledore and Shuttlecock.
Bedlams or Relievo.
Beds.
Bell-horses.
Bellie-mantie.
Belly-blind.
Bend-leather.
Betsy Bungay.
Bicky.
Biddy-base.
Biggly.
Billet.
Billy-base.
Bingo.
Bird-apprentice.
Birds, Beasts, and Fishes.
Bittle-battle.
Bitty-base.
Black Man's Tig.
Black Thorn.
Blind Bell.
Blind Bucky Davy.
Blind Harie.
Blind Hob.
Blind Man's Buff.
Blind Man's Stan.
Blind Nerry Mopsy.
Blind Palmie.
Blind Sim.
Block, Hammer, and Nail.
Blow-point.
Bob Cherry.
Boggle about the Stacks.
Boggle-bush.
Bonnety.
Booman.
Boss-out.
Boss and Span.
Boys and Girls.
Branks.
Bridgeboard.
Broken-down Tradesmen.
Brother Ebenezer.
Bubble-hole.
Bubble-justice.
Buck, Buck.
Buck i' t' Neucks.
Buckerels.
Buckey-how.
Buff.
Buk-hid.
Bull in the Park.
Bulliheisle.
Bummers.
Bun-hole.
Bunch of Ivy.
Bung the Bucket.
Bunting.
Burly Whush.
Buttons.
Buzz and Bandy.
CACHE-POLE.
Caiche.
Call-the-Guse.
Camp.
Canlie.
Capie-Hole.
Carrick.
Carry my Lady to London.
Carrying the Queen a Letter.
Cashhornie.
Castles.
Cat and Dog.
Cat-Beds.
Cat's Cradle.
Cat-gallows.
Cat i' the Hole.
Cat after Mouse.
Catchers.
Chacke-Blyndman.
Chance Bone.
Change Seats.
Checkstone.
Cherry Odds.
Cherry-pit.
Chicamy.
Chickidy Hand.
Chinnup.
Chinny-mumps.
Chock or Chock-hole.
Chow.
Chuck-farthing.
Chuck-hole.
Chucks.
Church and Mice.
Click.
Click, Clock, Cluck.
Clowt-clowt.
Clubby.
Coal under Candlestick.
Cob.
Cobbin-match.
Cobble.
Cobbler's Hornpipe.
Cob-nut.
Cock.
Cock-battler.
Cock-fight.
Cock-haw.
Cock-stride.
Cockertie-hooie.
Cockle-bread.
Cockly-jock.
Cock's-headling.
Cock-steddling.
Codlings.
Cogger.
Cogs.
Common.
Conkers.
Conquerors.
Contrary, Rules of.
Cop-halfpenny.
Corsicrown.
Cots and Twisses.
Course o' Park.
Crab-sowl.
Crates.
Cricket.
Crooky.
Cross and Pile.
Cross-bars.
Cross-questions.
Cross Tig.
Cry Notchil.
Cuck-ball.
Cuckoo.
Cuddy and the Powks.
Cudgel.
Curcuddie.
Curly Locks.
Currants and Raisins.
Cushion Dance.
Cutch a Cutchoo.
Cutters and Trucklers.
DAB.
Dab-an-thricker.
Dab-at-the-hole.
Dalies.
Davie-drap.
Deadily.
Diamond Ring.
Dibbs.
Dinah.
Dip o' the Kit.
Dish-a-loof.
Doddart.
Doncaster Cherries.
Dools.
Down in the Valley.
Drab and Norr.
Draw a Pail of Water.
Drawing Dun out of the Mire.
Drop Handkerchief.
Dropping the Letter.
Duck under the Water.
Duck at the Table.
Duck Dance.
Duck Friar.
Ducks and Drakes.
Duckstone.
Duffan Ring.
Dumb Crambo.
Dumb Motions.
Dump.
Dumps.
Dust-point.
ELLER Tree.
Ezzeka.
FATHER'S Fiddle.
Feed the Dove.
Find the Ring.
Fippeny Morrell.
Fire, Air, and Water.
Fivestones.
Flowers.
Follow my Gable.
Follow my Leader.
Fool, Fool, come to School.
Foot and Over.
Football.
Forfeits.
Fox.
Fox and Goose (1).
Fox and Geese (2).
Fox in the Fold.
Fox in the Hole.
French Jackie.
French and English.
French Blindman's Buff.
Friar-rush.
Frincy-francy.
Frog-lope.
Frog in the Middle.
GAP.
Garden Gate.
Gegg.
Genteel Lady.
Ghost at the Well.
Giants.
Giddy.
Gilty-galty.
Gipsy.
Gled-wylie.
Glim-glam.
Gobs.
Green Grass.
Green Gravel.
Green Grow the Leaves (1).
Green Grow the Leaves (2).
Gully.
HAIRRY my Bossie.
Half-Hammer.
Han'-and-Hail.
Hand in and Hand out.
Handy-Croopen.
Handy Dandy.
Hap the Beds.
Hard Buttons.
Hare and Hounds.
Harie Hutcheon.
Hark the Robbers.
Hats in Holes.
Hattie.
Hawkey.
Headicks and Pinticks.
Heads and Tails.
Hecklebirnie.
Hen and Chicken.
Here comes a Lusty Wooer.
Here comes One Virgin.
Here I sit on a Cold Green Bank.
Here stands a Young Man.
Here we go around, around.
Here's a Soldier.
Hewley Puley.
Hey Wullie Wine.
Hickety, Bickety.
Hickety-hackety.
Hick, Step, and Jump.
Hide and Seek (1).
Hide and Seek (2).
Hinch-Pinch.
Hinmost o' Three.
Hirtschin Hairy.
Hiry-hag.
Hiss and Clap.
Hitch, Jamie, Stride and Loup.
Hitchapagy.
Hitchy Cock Ho.
Hity Tity.
Hoatie, Hots.
Hob-in-the-Hall.
Hockerty Cokerty.
Hockey.
Hoges.
Ho-go.
Hoilakes.
Holy Bang.
Honey Pots.
Hood.
Hoodle-cum-blind.
Hoodman Blind.
Hooper's Hide.
Hop-crease.
Hop-frog.
Hop-score.
Hop-scotch.
Hop, Step, and Jump.
Hornie.
Hornie Holes.
Horns.
Hot Cockles.
How many Miles to Babylon.
Howly.
Huckie-buckie down the Brae.
Huckle-bones.
Hummie.
Hundreds.
Hunt the Hare.
Hunt the Slipper.
Hunt the Staigie.
Hunting.
Hurling.
Hurly-burly.
Huss.
Hustle Cap.
Hynny-pynny.
ISABELLA.
JACK'S Alive.
Jack, Jack, the Bread's a-burning.
Jack upon the Mopstick.
Jackysteauns.
Jauping Paste-eggs.
Jenny Jones.
Jenny Mac.
Jib-Job-Jeremiah.
Jiddy-cum-jiddy.
Jingle-the-bonnet.
Jingo-ring.
Jinkie.
Jock and Jock's Man.
Jockie Blind-man.
Joggle along.
Johnny Rover.
Jolly Fishermen.
Jolly Hooper.
Jolly Miller.
Jolly Rover.
Jolly Sailors.
Jowls.
Jud.
KEELING the Pot.
Keppy Ball.
Kibel and Nerspel.
King by your leave.
King Cæsar.
King Come-a-lay.
King of Cantland.
King o' the Castle.
King Plaster Palacey.
King William.
King's Chair.
Kirk the Gussie.
Kiss in the Ring.
Kit-cat.
Kit-cat-cannio.
Kittlie-cout.
Knapsack.
Knights.
Knocked at the Rapper.
Knor and Spell.
LAB.
Lady of the Land.
Lady on the Mountain.
Lady on Yonder Hill.
Lag.
Lammas.
Lamploo.
Lang Larence.
Leap Candle.
Leap-frog.
Leap the Bullock.
Leaves are Green.
Lend me your Key.
Letting the Buck out.
Level-coil.
Libbety-lat.
Limpy Coley.
Little Dog, I call you.
Lobber.
Loggats.
London.
London Bridge.
Long-duck.
Long Tag.
Long Tawl.
Long Terrace.
Loup the Bullocks.
Lubin.
Lug and a Bite.
Luggie.
Luking.
MAG.
Magic Whistle.
Magical Music.
Malaga Raisins.
Marbles.
Mary Brown.
Mary mixed a Pudding up.
Merrils.
Merritot.
Merry-ma-tansa.
Milking Pails.
Mineral, Animal, and Vegetable.
Minister's Cat.
Mollish's Land.
Monday, Tuesday.
Moolie Pudding.
More Sacks to the Mill.
Mother, may I go out to Play?
Mother Mop.
Mother, Mother, the Pot boils over.
Mount the Tin.
Mouse and the Cobbler.
Muffin Man.
Mulberry Bush.
Munshets.
Musical Chairs.
NACKS.
Namers and Guessers.
Neighbour.
Neivie-nick-nack.
Nettles.
New Squat.
Nine Holes.
Nine Men's Morris.
Nip-srat-and-bite.
Nitch, Notch, No-Notch.
Not.
Noughts and Crosses.
Nur and Spel.
Nuts in May.
ERRATA.
On page 15, line 12, _for_ "Eggatt" _read_ "Hats in Holes."
On pp. 24, 49, 64, 112, _for_ "_Folk-lore Journal_, vol. vi." _read_
"vol. vii."
On page 62, last line, _insert_ "vol. xix." _after_ "_Journ.
Anthrop. Inst._"
On page 66, line 4, _delete_ "Move All."
On page 224, fig. 3 of "Hopscotch" should be reversed.
On page 332, diagram of "London" omitted.
[Illustration]
CHILDREN'S GAMES.
Accroshay
A cap or small article is placed on the back of a stooping boy by other
boys as each in turn jumps over him. The first as he jumps says
"Accroshay," the second "Ashotay," the third "Assheflay," and the last
"Lament, lament, Leleeman's (or Leleena's) war." The boy who in jumping
knocks off either of the things has to take the place of the
stooper.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 58).
See "Leap-frog."
All-hid
"A meere children's pastime" (_A Curtaine Lecture_, 1637, p. 206). This
is no doubt the game of "Hide and Seek," though Cotgrave apparently
makes it synonymous with "Hoodman Blind." See Halliwell's _Dictionary_.
It is alluded to in Dekker's _Satiromastix_, "Our unhansomed-fac'd Poet
does play at Bo-peepes with your Grace, and cryes All-hidde, as boyes
doe." Tourneur, _Rev. Trag._, III., v. 82, "A lady can at such Al-hid
beguile a wiser man," is quoted in Murray's _Dictionary_ as the first
reference.
All a Row
All a row, a bendy bow,
Shoot at a pigeon and kill a crow;
Shoot at another and kill his brother;
Shoot again and kill a wren,
And that'll do for gentlemen.
--Northall's _English Folk Rhymes_, p. 386.
This is a marching game for very little children, who follow each other
in a row.
(_b_) Halliwell gives the first two lines only (_Nursery Rhymes_, No.
dxv., p. 101), and there is apparently no other record of this game. It
is probably ancient, and formerly of some significance. It refers to
days of bows and arrows, and the allusion to the killing of the wren may
have reference to the Manx and Irish custom of hunting that bird.
All in the Well
A juvenile game in Newcastle and the neighbourhood. A circle is made,
about eight inches in diameter, termed the well, in the centre of which
is placed a wooden peg four inches long, with a button balanced on the
top. Those desirous of playing give buttons, marbles, or anything else,
according to agreement, for the privilege of throwing a short stick,
with which they are furnished, at the peg. Should the button fly out of
the ring, the player is entitled to double the stipulated value of what
he gives for the stick. The game is also practised at the Newcastle
Races and other places of amusement in the North with three pegs, which
are put into three circular holes made in the ground about two feet
apart, and forming a triangle. In this case each hole contains a peg
about nine inches long, upon which are deposited either a small knife or
some copper. The person playing gives so much for each stick, and gets
all the articles that are thrown off so as to fall on the outside of the
holes.--Northumberland (Brockett's _North Country Glossary_).
All the Birds in the Air
A Suffolk game, not described (Moor's _Suffolk Glossary_). Jamieson also
gives it without description. Compare the rhyme in the game "Fool, fool,
come to School," "Little Dog, I call you."
All the Boys in our Town
I. All the boys in our town
Shall lead a happy life,
Except 'tis ----, and he wants a wife.
A wife he shall have, and a-courting he shall go,
Along with ----, because he loves her so.
He huddles her, he cuddles her,
He sits her on his knee;
He says, My dear, do you love me?
I love you, and you love me,
And we shall be as happy
As a bird upon a tree.
The wife makes the pudding,
And she makes it nice and soft--
In comes the husband and cuts a slice off.
Tas-el-um, Tos-el-um, don't say Nay,
For next Monday morning shall be our wedding day;
The wife in the carriage,
The husband in the cart.
--Hampshire (from friend of Miss Mendham).
II. All the boys in our town
Leads a happy life,
Excepting [Charley Allen],
And he wants a wife;
And a-courting he shall go
Along with [girl's name],
Because he loves her so.
He kisses her, he cuddles her,
He sets her on his knee,
And says, My dearest darling,
Do you love me?
I love you and you love me;
We'll both be as happy
As birds on the tree.
Alice made a pudding,
She made it nice and sweet,
Up came Charley, cut a slice off--
A slice, a slice, we don't say No;
The next Monday morning the wedding goes
(or "is our wedding day").
I've got knives and forks,
I've got plates and dishes,
I've got a nice young man,
He breaks his heart with kisses.
If poor Alice was to die,
Wouldn't poor Charley, he _would_ cry.
He would follow to the grave
With black buttons and black crape,
And a guinea for the church,
And the bell shall ring.
Up came the doctor, up came the cat,
Up came the devil with a white straw hat.
Down went the doctor, down went the cat,
Down went the devil with a white straw hat.[1]
--Deptford (Miss Chase).
III. Up the heathery mountains and down the rushy glen
We dare not go a-hunting for Connor and his men;
They are all lusty bachelors but one I know,
And that's [Tom Mulligan], the flower of the flock;
He is the flower of the flock, he is the keeper of the glen,
He courted [Kate O'Neill] before he was a man;
He huggled her, he guggled her, he took her on his knee,
Saying, My bonnie [Kate O'Neill], won't you marry me?
So ---- made a pudding so nice and so sweet,
Saying, Taste, love, taste, and don't say no,
For next Sunday morning to church we will go.
With rings on our fingers and bells on our toes,
And a little baby in her arms, and that's the way she goes.
And here's a clap, and here's a clap, for Mrs. ----'s
daughter.
--Belfast (W. H. Patterson).
IV. Up the plain and down the plain,
As stippy [slippery] as a glass,
We will go to Mrs. ----
To find a pretty lass.
[Annie] with her rosy cheeks,
Catch her if you can,
And if you cannot catch her
I'll tell you who's the man.
[Annie] made a pudding,
She made it very sweet;
She daren't stick a knife in
Till George came home at neet [night].
Taste [George], taste, and don't say Nay!
Perhaps to-morrow morning'll be our wedding day.
[The bells shall ring, and we shall sing,
And all clap hands together.][2]
--Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).
(_b_) A full description of this game could not be obtained in each
case. The Earls Heaton game is played by forming a ring, one child
standing in the centre. After the first verse is sung, a child from the
ring goes to the one in the centre. Then the rest of the verses are
sung. The action to suit the words of the verses does not seem to have
been kept up. In the Hampshire version, after the line "As a bird upon a
tree," the two children named pair off like sweethearts while the rest
of the verse is being sung.
(_c_) The analysis of the game rhymes is as follows:--
+---+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
| | Hants. | Deptford (Kent). | Belfast. |
+---+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
| 1.|Village life. |Village life. |Hunting life. |
| 2.|All the boys happy. |All the boys happy. |All lusty bachelors. |
| 3.|Except [ ], who |Except [ ], who |Except [ ], who |
| |wants a wife. |wants a wife. |courts [ ]. |
| 4.|He shall court [ ]. |He shall court [ ]. |He courted [ ]. |
| 5.|Huddles and cuddles, |Kisses and cuddles, |Huggled andguggled, |
| |and sits on his knee. |and sits on his knee. |and took on his knee. |
| 6.| -- | -- | -- |
| 7.|Mutual expressions of |Mutual expressions of | -- |
| |love. |love. | |
| 8.| -- | -- |Asking to marry. |
| 9.|Wife makes a pudding. |Girl makes a pudding. |Girl makes a pudding. |
|10.|Husband cuts a slice. |Boy cuts a slice. |Asks boy to taste. |
|11.|Fixing of wedding day.|Fixing of wedding day.|Fixing of wedding day.|
|12.|Wife in carriage, |Wife with domestic |Bride with rings on |
| |husband in cart. |utensils. |fingers and bells on |
| | | |toes. |
|13.| -- |Grief if wife should | -- |
| | |die. | |
|14.| -- | -- |Bride with a baby. |
|15.| -- |Doctor, cat, and | -- |
| | |devil. | |
|16.| -- | -- |Applause for the |
| | | |bride. |
+---+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
+---+----------------------+
| |Earls Heaton (Yorks.).|
+---+----------------------+
| 1.|Roving life. |
| 2.| -- |
| 3.| -- |
| 4.|Seeks for a bride. |
| 5.| -- |
| 6.|Catch the bride. |
| 7.| -- |
| 8.| -- |
| 9.|Girl makes a pudding. |
|10.|Asks boy to taste. |
|11.|Fixing of wedding day.|
|12.| -- |
|13.| -- |
|14.| -- |
|15.| -- |
|16.|Applause for bride. |
+---+----------------------+
It appears by the analysis that all the incidents of the Hants version
of this game occur in one or other of the versions, and these incidents
therefore may probably be typical of the game. This view would exclude
the important incidents of bride capture in the Earls Heaton version;
the bride having a baby in the Belfast version, and the two minor
incidents in the Deptford version (Nos. 13 and 15 in the analysis),
which are obviously supplemental. Chambers, in his _Popular Rhymes of
Scotland_, pp. 119, 137, gives two versions of a courtship dance which
are not unlike the words of this game, though they do not contain the
principal incidents. Northall, in his _English Folk Rhymes_, p. 363, has
some verses of a similar import, but not those of the game. W. Allingham
seems to have used this rhyme as the commencement of one of his ballads,
"Up the airy mountain."
(_d_) The game is clearly a marriage game. It introduces two important
details in the betrothal ceremony, inasmuch as the "huddling and
cuddling" is typical of the rude customs at marriage ceremonies once
prevalent in Yorkshire, the northern counties, and Wales, while the
making of the pudding by the bride and the subsequent eating together,
are clearly analogies to the bridal-cake ceremony. In Wales, the custom
known as "bundling" allowed the betrothing parties to go to bed in their
clothes (Brand, ii. 98). In Yorkshire, the bridal cake was always made
by the bride. The rudeness of the dialogue seems to be remarkably
noticeable in this game.
See "Mary mixed a Pudding up," "Oliver, Oliver, follow the King."
[1] Miss Chase says, "I think the order of verses is right; the
children hesitated a little."
[2] Mr. Hardy says, "This was sung to me by a girl at Earls Heaton or
Soothill Nether. Another version commences with the last verse,
continues with the first, and concludes with the second. The last
two lines inserted here belong to that version."
All the Fishes in the Sea
A Suffolk game, not described.--Moor's _Suffolk Glossary_. See "Fool,
fool, come to School," "Little Dog, I call you."
All the Soldiers in the Town
[Music]
All the soldiers in the town,
They all bop down.
--Sporle, Norfolk (Miss Matthews).
The children form into a ring and sing the above words. They "bop down"
at the close of the verse. To "bop" means in the Suffolk dialect "to
stoop or bow the head."--Moor.
Allicomgreenzie
A little amusing game played by young girls at country schools. The same
as "Drop Handkerchief," except that the penalty for not following
exactly the course of the child pursued is to "stand in the circle, face
out, all the game afterwards; if she succeed in catching the one, the
one caught must so stand, and the other take up the cap and go round as
before" (Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_). No explanation is
given of the name of this game.
See "Drop Handkerchief."
Alligoshee
I. Betsy Blue came all in black,
Silver buttons down her back.
Every button cost a crown,
Every lady turn around.
Alligoshi, alligoshee,
Turn the bridle over my knee.
--Middleton (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 523).
II. Barbara, Barbara, dressed in black,
Silver buttons all up your back.
Allee-go-shee, allee-go-shee,
Turn the bridle over me.
--Shepscombe, Gloucestershire (Miss Mendham).
III. All-i-go-shee, alligoshee,
Turn the bridle over my knee.
My little man is gone to sea,
When he comes back he'll marry me.
--Warwickshire (Northall's _Folk Rhymes_, p. 394).
IV. Darby's son was dressed in black,
With silver buttons down his back.
Knee by knee, and foot by foot,
Turn about lady under the bush.
--Hersham, Surrey (_Folk-lore Record_, v. 87).
V. Darby and Joan were dressed in black,
Sword and buckle behind their back.
Foot for foot, and knee for knee,
Turn about Darby's company.
--Halliwell's _Nursery Rhymes_, p. 121.
(_b_) The children form pairs, one pair following the other, with their
arms linked behind. While the first four lines are repeated by all, they
skip forward, and then skip back again. At the end of the last line they
turn themselves about without loosing hands.
(_c_) Miss Burne includes this among obscure and archaic games, and
Halliwell-Phillips mentions it as a marching game. The three first
versions have something of the nature of an incantation, while the
fourth and fifth versions may probably belong to another game
altogether. It is not clear from the great variation in the verses to
which class the game belongs.
Almonds and Reasons
An old English game undescribed.--_Useful Transactions in Philosophy_,
1709, p. 43.
Angel and Devil
One child is called the "Angel," another child the "Devil," and a third
child the "Minder." The children are given the names of colours by the
Minder. Then the Angel comes over and knocks, when the following
dialogue takes place.
Minder: "Who's there?"
Answer: "Angel."
Minder: "What do you want?"
Angel: "Ribbons."
Minder: "What colour?"
Angel: "Red."
Minder retorts, if no child is so named, "Go and learn your A B C." If
the guess is right the child is led away. The Devil then knocks, and the
dialogue and action are repeated.--Deptford, Kent (Miss Chase).
See "Fool, fool, come to School."
Auntieloomie
The children join hands, and dance in a circle, "with a front step, a
back step, and a side step, round an invisible May-pole," singing--
Can you dance the Auntieloomie?
Yes, I can; yes, I can.
Then follows kissing.--Brigg, Lincolnshire (Miss Peacock).
Babbity Bowster
[Music]
--Biggar (Wm. Ballantyne).
Wha learned you to dance,
You to dance, you to dance?
Wha learned you to dance
Babbity Bowster brawly?
My minnie learned me to dance,
Me to dance, me to dance;
My minnie learned me to dance
Babbity Bowster brawly.
Wha ga'e you the keys to keep,
Keys to keep, keys to keep?
Wha ga'e you the keys to keep,
Babbity Bowster brawly?
My minnie ga'e me the keys to keep,
Keys to keep, keys to keep;
My minnie ga'e me the keys to keep,
Babbity Bowster brawly.
One, twa, three, B, ba, Babbity,
Babbity Bowster neatly;
Kneel down, kiss the ground,
An' kiss your bonnie lassie [or laddie].
--Biggar (W. H. Ballantyne).
(_b_) Mr. Ballantyne describes the dance as taking place at the end of a
country ball. The lads all sat on one side and the girls on the other.
It began with a boy taking a handkerchief and dancing before the girls,
singing the first verse (fig. 1). Selecting one of the girls, he threw
the handkerchief into her lap, or put it round her neck, holding both
ends himself. Some spread the handkerchief on the floor at the feet of
the girl. The object in either case was to secure a kiss, which,
however, was not given without a struggle, the girls cheering their
companion at every unsuccessful attempt which the boy made (fig. 2). A
girl then took the handkerchief, singing the next verse (fig. 3), and
having thrown the handkerchief to one of the boys, she went off to her
own side among the girls, and was pursued by the chosen boy (fig. 4).
When all were thus paired, they formed into line, facing each other, and
danced somewhat like the country dance of Sir Roger.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.]
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
[Illustration: Fig. 3.]
[Illustration: Fig. 4.]
(_c_) Chambers' _Popular Rhymes_, p. 36, gives a slightly different
version of the verses, and says they were sung by children at their
sports in Glasgow. Mactaggart alludes to this game as "'Bumpkin Brawly,'
an old dance, the dance which always ends balls; the same with the
'Cushion' almost."
Wha learned you to dance,
You to dance, you to dance,
Wha learned you to dance
A country bumpkin brawly?
My mither learned me when I was young,
When I was young, when I was young,
My mither learned me when I was young,
The country bumpkin brawly.
The tune of this song is always played to the dance, says Mactaggart,
but he does not record the tune. _To bab_, in Lowland Scottish, is
defined by Jamieson to mean "to play backward and forward loosely; to
dance." Hence he adds, "Bab at the bowster, or Bab wi' the bowster, a
very old Scottish dance, now almost out of use; formerly the last dance
at weddings and merry-makings." Mr. Ballantyne says that a bolster or
pillow was at one time always used. One correspondent of _N. and Q._,
ii. 518, says it is now (1850) danced with a handkerchief instead of a
cushion as formerly, and no words are used, but later correspondents
contradict this. See also _N. and Q._, iii. 282.
(_d_) Two important suggestions occur as to this game. First, that the
dance was originally the indication at a marriage ceremony for the bride
and bridegroom to retire with "the bowster" to the nuptial couch.
Secondly, that it has degenerated in Southern Britain to the ordinary
"Drop Handkerchief" games of kiss in the ring. The preservation of this
"Bab at the Bowster" example gives the clue both to the origin of the
present game in an obsolete marriage custom, and to the descent of the
game to its latest form. See "Cushion Dance."
Bad
A rude kind of "Cricket," played with a bat and a ball, usually with
wall toppings for wickets. "Bad" seems to be the pronunciation or
variation of "Bat." Halliwell says it was a rude game, formerly common
in Yorkshire, and probably resembling the game of "Cat." There is such a
game played now, but it is called "Pig."--Easther's _Almondbury
Glossary_.
Baddin
The game of "Hockey" in Cheshire.--Holland's _Glossary_.
Badger the Bear
A rough game, sometimes seen in the country. The boy who personates the
Bear performs his part on his hands and knees, and is prevented from
getting away by a string. It is the part of another boy, his Keeper, to
defend him from the attacks of the others.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.
This is a boys' game, and is called "Buffet the Bear." It may be taken
part in by any number. One boy--the Bear--goes down on all fours, and
lowers his head towards his breast as much as possible. Into his hand is
placed one end of a piece of cord, and another boy, called the Keeper,
takes hold of the other end in one hand, while he has in the other his
cap. The other boys stand round, some with their caps in hand, and
others with their neckties or pocket-handkerchiefs, and on a given
signal they rush on the Bear and pelt him, trying specially to buffet
him about the ears and face, whilst the Keeper does his best to protect
his charge. If he happens to strike a boy, that boy becomes the Bear,
and the former Bear becomes the Keeper, and so on the game goes.--Keith,
Banffshire (Rev. W. Gregor).
I saw this game played on Barnes Green, Surrey, on 25th August 1892. The
boys, instead of using their hats, had pieces of leather tied to a
string, with which they struck the Bear on the back. They could only
begin when the Keeper cried, "My Bear is free." If they struck at any
other time, the striker became the Bear. It is called "Baste the
Bear."--A. B. Gomme.
Chambers (_Popular Rhymes_, p. 128) describes this game under the title
of "The Craw." It was played precisely in the same way as the Barnes
game. The boy who holds the end of the long strap has also a hard
twisted handkerchief, called the _cout_; with this cout he defends the
Craw against the attacks of the other boys, who also have similar couts.
Before beginning, the Guard of the Craw must call out--
Ane, twa, three, my Craw's free.
The first one he strikes becomes the Craw. When the Guard wants a
respite, he calls out--
Ane, twa, three, my Craw's no free.
(_b_) Jamieson defines "Badger-reeshil" as a severe blow; borrowed, it
is supposed, from the hunting of the badger, or from the old game of
"Beating the Badger."
Then but he ran wi' hasty breishell,
And laid on Hab a badger-reishill.
--_MS. Poem._
Mr. Emslie says he knows it under the name of "Baste the Bear" in
London, and Patterson (_Antrim and Down Glossary_) mentions a game
similarly named. It is played at Marlborough under the name of "Tom
Tuff."--H. S. May.
See "Doncaster Cherries."
Bag o' Malt
A bag o' malt, a bag o' salt,
Ten tens a hundred.
--Northall's _English Folk Rhymes_, p. 394.
Two children stand back to back, linked near the armpits, and weigh each
other as they repeat these lines.
See "Weigh the Butter."
Ball
I. Stottie ba', hinnie ba, tell to me
How mony bairns am I to hae?
Ane to live, and ane to dee,
And ane to sit on the nurse's knee!
--Chambers' _Pop. Rhymes of Scotland_, p. 115.
II. Toss-a-ball, toss-a-ball, tell me true,
How many years I've got to go through!
--Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 530.
(_b_) Children throw a ball in the air, repeating the rhyme, and divine
the length of their lives by the number of times they can catch it
again. In some places this game is played with a cowslip ball, thence
called a "tissy-ball."
(_c_) I have heard other rhymes added to this, to determine whether the
players shall marry or not, the future husband's calling, dress to be
worn, method of going to church, &c. (A. B. Gomme). Strutt describes a
handball game played during the Easter holidays for Tansy cakes
(_Sports_, p. 94). Halliwell gives rhymes for ball divination (_Popular
Rhymes_, p. 298) to determine the number of years before marriage will
arrive. Miss Baker (_Northamptonshire Glossary_) says, "The May garland
is suspended by ropes from the school-house to an opposite tree, and the
Mayers amuse themselves by throwing balls over it. A native of
Fotheringay, Mr. C. W. Peach," says Miss Baker, "has supplied me with
the reminiscences of his own youth. He says the May garland was hung in
the centre of the street, on a rope stretched from house to house. Then
was made the trial of skill in tossing balls (small white leather ones)
through the framework of the garland, to effect which was a triumph."
See "Cuck Ball," "Keppy Ball," "Monday."
Ball and Bonnets
[Illustration: Fig. 1.]
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
This is a boys' game. The players may be of any number. They place their
caps or bonnets in a row. One of the boys takes a ball, and from a fixed
point, at a few yards' distance from the bonnets, tries to throw it into
one of the caps (fig. 1). If the ball falls into the cap, all the boys,
except the one into whose cap the ball has fallen, run off. The boy into
whose cap the ball has been thrown goes up to it, lifts the ball from
it, and calls out "Stop!" The other boys stop. The boy with the ball
tries to strike one of the other boys (fig. 2). If he does so, a small
stone is put into the cap of the boy struck. If he misses, a stone is
put into his own cap. If the boy who is to pitch the ball into the cap
misses, a stone is put into his own cap, and he makes another trial. The
game goes on till six stones are put into one cap. The boy in whose cap
are the six stones has to place his hand against a wall, when he
receives a certain number of blows with the ball thrown with force by
one of the players. The blows go by the name of "buns." The game may go
on in the same way till each player gets his "buns."--Nairn (Rev. W.
Gregor).
See "Hats in Holes."
Ball in the Decker
A row of boys' caps is set by a wall. One boy throws a ball into one of
the caps. The owner of the cap runs away, and is chased by all the
others till caught. He then throws the ball.--Dublin (Mrs. Lincoln).
Ball of Primrose
[Music]
We'll wear yellow ribbons, yellow ribbons, yellow ribbons,
We'll wear yellow ribbons at the Ball of Primrose;
We'll all go a-waltzing, a-waltzing, a-waltzing,
We'll all go a-waltzing at the Ball of Primrose.
--Epworth, Doncaster; and Lossiemouth, Yorkshire (Charles C. Bell).
(_b_) The children form a ring, joining hands, and dance round singing
the two first lines. Then loosing hands, they waltz in couples, singing
as a refrain the last line. The game is continued, different coloured
ribbons being named each time.
(_c_) This game was played in 1869, so cannot have arisen from the
political movement.
Baloon
A game played with an inflated ball of strong leather, the ball being
struck by the arm, which was defended by a bracer of wood.--Brand's
_Pop. Antiq._, ii. 394.
(_b_) It is spelt "balloo" in Ben Jonson, iii. 216, and "baloome" in
Randolph's _Poems_, 1643, p. 105. It is also mentioned in Middleton's
_Works_, iv. 342, and by Donne.
"'Tis ten a clock and past; all whom the mues,
_Baloun_, tennis, diet, or the stews
Had all the morning held."
--Donne's _Poems_, p. 133.
Toone (_Etymological Dict._) says it is a game rather for exercise than
contention; it was well known and practised in England in the fourteenth
century, and is mentioned as one of the sports of Prince Henry, son of
James I., in 1610. Strutt (_Sports and Pastimes_, p. 96) gives two
illustrations of what he considers to be baloon ball play, from
fourteenth century MSS.
Bandy-ball
A game played with sticks called "bandies," bent and round at one end,
and a small wooden ball, which each party endeavours to drive to
opposite fixed points. Northbrooke in 1577 mentions it as a favourite
game in Devonshire (Halliwell's _Dict. of Provincialisms_). Strutt says
the bat-stick was called a "bandy" on account of its being bent, and
gives a drawing from a fourteenth century MS. book of prayers belonging
to Mr. Francis Douce (_Sports_, p. 102). The bats in this drawing are
nearly identical with modern golf-sticks, and "Golf" seems to be derived
from this game. Peacock mentions it in his _Glossary of Manley and
Corringham Words_. Forby has an interesting note in his _Vocabulary of
East Anglia_, i. 14. He says, "The bandy was made of very tough wood, or
shod with metal, or with the point of the horn or the hoof of some
animal. The ball is a knob or gnarl from the trunk of a tree, carefully
formed into a globular shape. The adverse parties strive to beat it with
their bandies through one or other of the goals."
Bandy Cad or Gad
A game played with a nurr and crooked stick, also called "Shinty," and
much the same as the "Hockey" of the South of England. "Cad" is the same
as "cat" in the game of "Tip-cat;" it simply means a cut piece of
wood.--Nodal and Milner's _Lancashire Glossary_.
Bandy-hoshoe
A game at ball common in Norfolk, and played in a similar manner to
"Bandy" (Halliwell's _Dictionary_). Toone (_Etymological Dictionary_)
says it is also played in Suffolk, and in West Sussex is called "Hawky."
Bandy-wicket
The game of "Cricket," played with a bandy instead of a bat (Halliwell's
_Dictionary_). Toone mentions it as played in Norfolk (_Dict._), and
Moor as played in Suffolk with bricks usually, or, in their absence,
with bats in place of bails or stumps (_Suffolk Words_).
Banger